The US Navy is perhaps the most visible aspect of American military power, and it turned 243 years old Saturday.

The Navy was established on October 13, 1775, when the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution creating the Continental Navy, calling for two swift sailing vessels to be armed with 10 carriage guns and a proportional number of swivel guns, manned by a crew of eighty, and sent to intercept transport ships delivering munitions to the British army in America.

Since its establishment, the US Navy has evolved into an unmatched military force. These 18 awesome photos from the past year show the Navy in action.

“Today, we celebrate 243 years of our #USNavy‘s critical role in protecting and promoting American interests worldwide and honor our shipmates’ immense contributions to our nation’s history and security,” the US Navy tweeted Saturday morning.

An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the Blue Blasters of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 34 prepares to land on the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during an air power demonstration on Aug. 4, 2018

The crew of the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Annapolis (SSN 760) launches a Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) off the coast of Southern California as part of a Tomahawk Flight Test (TFT) on June 27, 2018.

Fire Controlman 1st Class Kial Hartwell is greeted by his children during the homecoming ceremony for the guided-missile destroyer USS O’Kane (DDG 77) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on June 4, 2018.